init prompts and existing/default values

[Lockszmith-GH]

My current state

Currently my .chezmoi.toml.tmpl file contians:

{{- $email := promptStringOnce . "email" "Email address" -}}

[data]
    pqb.email = {{ $email | quote }}

Today I edited the .tmpl file to include some default diff configs:

[diff]
    command = "icdiff"
    args = ["--line-numbers", "{{ "{{ .Destination }}" }}", "{{ "{{ .Target }}" }}"]

Now, running chezmoi init updates the existing configuration as intended, however...
It prompts for the email again.

My question

Can the init assignment to $email grab the existing value and prompt only if the value is empty/non-existing?

bonus question

Can it populate default values to the prompt? So it will still prompt, but already populate the value with defaults (and populate that default value from the existing config)?

[twpayne]

This isn't working because [data] sets pqb.email whereas you search for email.

For default values you can use the default template function from sprig.

[Lockszmith-GH]

OK, so I probably stumbled upon a bug.

As you mentioned the following suppresses the prompt for email, if the email entry already exists.

{{- $email := promptStringOnce . "email" "Email address" -}}

[data]
    email = {{ $email | quote }}

This does not.

{{- $email := promptStringOnce . "pqb.email" "Email address" -}}

[data]
    pqb.email = {{ $email | quote }}

I'm guessing the . in this argument doesn't have a special meaning.

[twpayne]

No, the . does have a special meaning. You're using TOML and the . in pqb.email variable name is creating a nested object. Run chezmoi data and inspect the output.

[Lockszmith-GH]

That's what I expected from the [data] section.

I couldn't figure out how to access it from promptStringOnce. - That's where I meant 'no special meaning' - it seems it assumes it's part of the variable name and not a nesting separator.

Is there a different notation I need to use in the prompt directive for this to work?

[twpayne]

Is there a different notation I need to use in the prompt directive for this to work?

No, promptStringOnce only knows about maps, not nested maps. You'll need to wrap the call to promptStringOnce in an extra layer of template logic to first check if .pqb exists, and then, if .pqb exists you can use promptStringOnce .pqb "email" "Email address".

[twpayne]

With #2557, the prompt*Once template functions now take a path instead of a key, which allows you to use:

{{- $email := promptStringOnce . "pqb.email" "Email address" -}}

[Lockszmith-GH]

Trigger warning: unsolicited complements and fandom.

I don't know if I expressed it enough, and I hope you enjoy the complement, since I'm being as sincere as one can be with the written word.

I enjoy using the tool you've shared with the world more than these words can express.

What makes this tool so awesome though, is your interaction with us users here.
I personally have reached out a few times, and every time, you not only respond, you take bus hitts for these conversations.

Here you already provided an elegant implemented solution before I even got to ask for it.

[Lockszmith-GH]

Perfect, works like a charm.